In recent years, research exploring the impacts of electromagnetic radiation (EMR) on human health has extended to microorganisms, particularly bacteria. With the increasing prevalence of electronic devices emitting electromagnetic radiation (EMR), understanding its effects on living organisms, especially bacteria, is crucial. Exposure to EMR measure in terms of Specific Absorption rate (SAR) and different countries have their own regulatory agencies that oversee SAR compliance. For instance:International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) is an international organization that provides guidelines and recommendations on the exposure to non-ionizing radiation, many countries refer to ICNIRP guidelines when establishing their own SAR limits (Shaw et al. 2021; Schmid et al. 2021; Jayaraju et al. 2023).

In this study, we focused on the effects of EMR within the 2.4 GHz frequency. Utilizing controlled laboratory settings and optimum conditions for bacteria and keeping control, Exposure as well as Sham group (i.e similar to exposure group except radiation ON), various bacterial strains were exposed to specific EMR with frequency 2.4 GHz and different intensities or doses in mW. Results revealed intricate alterations in bacterial physiology under EMR exposure. Changes in metabolic pathways, Increased amount of reactive oxygen species; Hydroxyl radical and generation of Superoxide and several fold increase in peroxidation of lipids observed in exposure group indicating enhanced cellular stress. Surprisingly, EMR exposure led to notable shifts in antibiotic resistance profiles among the tested bacterial strains. Both acquired and intrinsic resistance mechanisms were affected, indicating potential implications for the development and spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in EMR-crowded environments. Simultaneously, our research shed light on the profound impact of EMR on cell membrane integrity, cell membrane integrity assessed by membrane structure and leakage of carbohydrate and protein content, and cellular energy utilization were observed and exposure group showed significantly increased leakage and damage of membrane integrity. Electron microscopy studies revealed structural damage and irregularities in the cell membranes of EMR-exposed bacteria. These damages were not limited to mere physical disruptions; they were coupled with alterations in membrane-associated proteins and lipids Such changes in the cell membrane composition could have significant implications for bacterial survival, affecting nutrient uptake, waste elimination, and overall cellular communication processes. Observed significant changes in the protein content linked to the altered gene expression in the exposure group, while some damaging effects on DNA observed by comet assay scoring, to study detailed effects of EMR on genetic instability transcriptomic analysis by RNA sequencing needs to be done. Further research into the subject will resolve the effects of EMR on bacteria.

These findings suggest a direct influence of EMR on fundamental cellular processes. Hence long term exposure to 2.4 GHz signal may alter the bacterial physiology differently and significantly.

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